BAHBSM3: Ireland Is A Small Open Economy (SOE) And As Such We Are Vulnerable To External Economic: Economic And Social Policy Assignment, NCI, Ireland

Question 1

A) Ireland is a Small Open Economy (SOE) and as such we are vulnerable to external economic shocks that may greatly impact overseas demand for our exports of goods and services.

What policies should SOE governments pursue to achieve sustainable growth?  Describe these policy aims for Ireland.  Include a discussion on measures of performance of an economy.

B) In your opinion, briefly explain what sort of recovery will the post-pandemic world most likely experience and how is Ireland positioned, to cope or to change tact.

Question 2

A) Discuss the Irish Healthcare sector, detail its structure and features, and how it compares Internationally. In your answer, describe the issues arising in the health insurance sector.

Be critical and analytical in your answer and seek to draw supported conclusions.

B) In your opinion, why have successive governments failed to adequately tackle the inefficiencies operating in the Healthcare system at home? Does Covid present an opportunity to act?

OR

A) The Irish Education sector can be characterized by different measures, including PISA scores, Feeder school tables, and our standing in global University league tables.

Analyze Irish education standing internationally and compare learning in Ireland to other recognized, leaders in the sector, which provide very robust but different avenues to education.

Be critical and analytical in your answer and seek to draw supported conclusions.

B) In your opinion, what are the likely long-lasting opportunities to change the delivery and experience of learning in a post-pandemic Ireland, and should they be implemented. Will there be a lasting legacy to online learning of the Covid years?

Question 3

A) The International Bond Market is an avenue Governments often take to raise funds to assist in the day-to-day running of the economy. Describe the workings of this government product with a particular focus on the mix of risk inherent in the area for lenders as they seek to match risk and return targets.

Further discuss 4 other different types of bonds, giving examples of each.
B) In your opinion, what are the dangers for a nation pursuing a negative rate of interest for savings accounts and for bond issuance?

Question 4

A) The Irish experience within Europe can be traced back to 1973’s membership of the EEC. Detail this long experience of how the economy and society were impacted by membership from the early days right up to full Economic and Monetary Union and beyond.

In your answer, include a discussion on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and how swiftly Irish society was transformed from a largely agricultural-based economy to a hi-tech economy and the Cap’s fundamental role in putting this in place.

B) In your opinion, briefly consider the call for a future border poll by certain political parties on this island, and what a possible future united Ireland may mean for the economy north and south.

Question 5

A) Ireland, in the years, 1994-2006 can be characterized as a period of high growth, near full employment, and net immigration. These Celtic Tiger years came at a price as the economy then endured periods of economic contraction, bank guarantees, and rescue bailouts.

Discuss this period in Irish economic history.  Be critical in the buildup years of policy that continued to ignite the construction sector and detail the mistakes that lead to the statewide bank deposit guarantee.

Finally, focus on the process that leads to our loss of sovereignty as the European bailout ushered in a series of austerity budgets.

B) In your opinion, will a return to blended style workweek post-Covid lead to a long-term switch out of city living for a certain minority? And what will the likely impact be on the property, residential and commercial, wages, and employers